County stores, shoppers gear up for a big retail weekend

Shoppers make their way down Market Street in The Woodlands on Tuesday morning as the holiday shopping season goes into full swing.

Shoppers make their way down Market Street in The Woodlands on Tuesday morning as the holiday shopping season goes into full swing.

Photo: Staff Photo By Eric Swist

Photo: Staff Photo By Eric Swist

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Shoppers make their way down Market Street in The Woodlands on Tuesday morning as the holiday shopping season goes into full swing.

Shoppers make their way down Market Street in The Woodlands on Tuesday morning as the holiday shopping season goes into full swing.

Photo: Staff Photo By Eric Swist

County stores, shoppers gear up for a big retail weekend

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With the final weekend of Christmas shopping here, Montgomery County merchants are gearing up for lots of sales as shoppers head out for last-minute gifts.

Noemi Cortez, spokeswoman for The Woodlands Mall, said the mall staff is prepared for the multitude of shoppers expected this weekend, including providing extra security, valet and housekeeping staff.

“We expect a busy weekend but we hope that the extended hours will help out as well,” she said. “We up our staff and hope that everything runs as smoothly as possible.”

While the mall does not keep count of the number of shoppers, she said, staff can judge the capacity by the number of cars in the parking lot.

“Usually on a weekend like this, the parking lot will be full,” she said. “In the morning, it is usually at about 60 percent; but by the afternoon, it will be up to about 95 percent.”

With the increased numbers, Cortez said, there are no activities scheduled inside the mall this weekend to ensure that shoppers can move easily around the space. However, the mall will have Carolers in The Courtyard near Barnes and Noble from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, and Operation Pets Alive will be on hand for pet adoptions Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

The Outlets at Conroe, located at 1111 League Line Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. The shopping center is closed Christmas Day but reopens at 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to www.outletsatconroe.com.

Santa will be available for photos at the center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the website.

Jenny Taylor, assistant general manager for Market Street The Woodlands, said she too is expecting large crowds this weekend.

“Things have been great and we anticipate that things will be even busier,” she said. “We are gearing up.”

Taylor said store personnel have gone the extra mile to get the items shoppers want this year.

“If you waited until the last minute, there will be some great finds,” she said. “Everyone is pulling out the stops this year.”

Shoppers will be able to take a break and enjoy the free entertainment in Central Park this weekend with events like a Tuba Christmas scheduled to begin at noon Saturday.

More than 200 sousaphone, euphonium and baritone musicians will perform throughout the day.

Stores at Market Street will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Stores will close at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and be closed Christmas day. She said the restaurants in Market Street will have slightly different hours.

Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Visitor and Convention Bureau, said The Woodlands has become the “go-to” shopping location for many local and area residents.

“From all reports, this will be a great holiday season for retailers in The Woodlands,” he said.